Mar 03 2011
Why Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance
The risks involved in a traffic accident are very high for motorcycle riders, because motor bikes are difficult to see because of their size, there’s no physical protection between the rider and the road (and other vehicles) and because sometimes motorists drive erratically. Possessing up to date and sufficient motorcycle insurance is not only a legal requirement in most places, it can be the only thing standing between an accident victim and utter bankruptcy.
You might think that you could only be injured in a crash at reasonably high speeds. Just as it is possible to drown in a bowl of cereal, break your neck falling off a chair, or knock out a tooth simply by biting into an apple, wrecks which occur at comparatively low speeds can be highly injurious or even fatal.
Obviously, liability and theft coverage are not going to magically protect bones in a collision. That little bit of paper is not going to provide one bit of actual, real world protection. With the remarkably high cost of any sort of hospital treatment, however, that bit of paper may very well save its owner thousands upon thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
Theft is also a concern for motorcycle owners. Bikes are small enough to be stolen by simply loading them into the back of a truck or van. It would take a few strong people to do it, but lifting a three to six hundred pound machine is quite possible for people who are sufficiently motivated. Fortunately motorcycles usually don’t cost as much as cars, replacing a stolen bike at a cost of even a few thousand dollars is way too much.
Motorcycle insurance usually costs less than similar insurance policies for cars. It is always a good idea to shop around, compare rates, and see who offers the best combination of price and coverage. Many companies will offer significant discounts and package deals for people who have already got a policy with them. Asking their current provider for information about adding a new vehicle, specifically a bike, to the contract is something many people decide is right for them.
Liability is not as big a deal for two wheelers as it is for their lumbering, four wheeled cousins. Of course riders should always drive carefully and try to prevent accidents by anticipating and avoiding problems. Driving more slowly, especially during bad weather and other problem road conditions can allow you a little extra time to react and compensate. It’s alway preferable to avoid an accident than to deal with it afterwards.
Just like with auto insurance, the history of the person’s driving record comes into play. An experienced driver with no tickets or accidents on his record will be considered a safer risk by the insurance companies. The reward for having a clean record and not submitting a claim over years of driving is lower insurance premiums. The financial benefit alone is enough to improve your driving skills.
No insurance offered by any company can save your life or the life of others in the event of an accident. It can’t even prevent property damage. But it will help them pay for a new ride if theirs is lost, stolen, or damaged. It will even save you money if you don’t have an accident because you won’t get a citation for not having proof of insurance if a police officer pulls you over.
Be sure to go online for a motorcycle insurance comparison to find the most affordable motorcycle insurance policy that meets your needs.